IJHS Newsletter 04, 2006
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Newsletter of the International Jew’s Harp Society CouncilMatters New Board Website Next Symposium FeatureComment Variety – the ‘spice of life’ John Wright RegionalNews PictureGallery Leo Tadagwa Kumpl’s Amsterdam AndFinally… Correspondence New website NoticeBoard Amsterdam CD / DVD Membership December 2006 Issue 4 Page 1 of 14 December 2006 Issue 4 BoardMatters: from the President Page 3 FeatureComment: Variety - the ‘spice of life’, by John Wright Page 4 RegionalNews Page 5 PictureGallery Page 10 AndFinally… Page 12 NoticeBoard Page 12 To contribute to the newsletter, send your emails to [email protected] or post to Michael Wright, Editor, IJHS Newsletter, 77 Beech Road, Wheatley, Oxon, OX33 1UD, UK Signed articles or news items represent the views of their authors only. Editor: Michael Wright, translations by Franz Kumpl & Gloria Custance; design & layout by Michael Wright ©IJHS2006 Cover photograph by Leo Tadagawa. Michael Wright: The newsletter is now divided into six sections: Taught by brother John Editorial Wright in the late 1960’s, BoardMatters keeps you informed on decisions made along with younger brother Welcome to the first of the Newsletters I am putting on your behalf by the elected board. David, Michael supported John on 3 tracks on The Lark together for the foreseeable future. Before going any FeatureComment is a section featuring a thought in the Clear Air recorded in further, my personal thanks to Leo Tadagawa for provoking idea or view, which might be an initial 1974. Work and family setting these up in the first place – taking over is notion that could eventually develop into an article pressures meant giving up considerably easier once the initial work has been for nearly 20 years, but, for the Journal. To kick things off I’ve asked John encouraged by John, began done. Wright to expand on comments he made at the playing again in 1992, This newsletter is your opportunity to share your AGM at Amsterdam. Michael now divides his time between playing the ideas and what’s going on in your area with the rest RegionalNews will be as large or small as the Jew’s harp, researching its of the members. In this issue I am delighted to history in the UK & Ireland, material sent to me. I would like around 150-200 introduce amongst other things, a comments section words (not too onerous), longer if you have and giving talks and and photo gallery. John Wright’s piece on valorising workshops at festivals. See something really important to say. www.jewsharper.info minority communities has been most opportune, and (Available in January 2007) you will notice a few items that quite coincidentally The PictureGallery is an opportunity for artists support his views – Leo Tadagawa’s efforts to set amongst you to show your favourite image (photo, up a festival in Japan and José Luis Pignocchi’s drawing, etc.) – plus a few novelties! news from Argentina, for instance. AndFinally… is a catch-all area, including, letters to The intention at the moment is that the newsletter the editor, or anything else sent that is not covered will be published at the end of April and October in the above. every year, and it differs from the Journal in that it If you have an impending product you want to tell will only provide snippets of information (i.e. news) us about, use the NoticeBoard. and ideas. I would prefer small amounts of information rather than huge essays – ‘little and often’, is the motto – so don’t feel obliged to write Depending upon what you send, this format may pages, and keep items short and to the point – the change or evolve. Michael Wright Journal is for bigger discussions. I need to receive Photograph by your contributions by the end of March and And finally… from me. Please ensure that you let Debbie Wright. September of each year; imagery is encouraged to me know if your address changes – postal and supplement text, though not essential, but please email. 10% of those emails on record bounced the send captions and the name of the photographer, if first time I used them, which means you could miss known – remember, however, the bus will always the ensuing issues and any other information you leave on time, even if there are no passengers on need to be aware of. board! My thanks to everyone who has contributed to this As a general principle, I will publish as sent to me edition. Keep in touch. If YOU do not send me and only suggest alterations if specifically asked to something, I cannot publish! do so – this is your voice, not mine, after all. Michael Wright, Editor Page 2 of 14 Firstly the General Secretary who is responsible for BoardMatters putting together and distributing the Newsletter, keeping track and updating of the membership list From the President: and writing the minutes in the board meetings; and secondly the treasurer who is responsible for and Dear friends, control over all financial issues, collecting and The 5th IJHF in Amsterdam from 28-30 July was a safeguard of the annual dues, and for payment of real success. The organisers from Het any expenses (Newsletter, etc), after consultation Muziekgebouw provided with a great countdown with General Secretary and President. Philippe and during the three days of the festival-congress Dallais was appointed as treasurer, because we the whole professional machinery was working for expect him to be as trustworthy as a Swiss bank. Franz Kumpl “us”. Leo Tadagawa was confirmed as General Secretary, Changes to the board In my opinion, the main points and lessons learned but when it became obvious that Leo, because of his 2006 Board are: Honorary president numerous duties and tasks will not be able to be an Fred CRANE (lifelong) • There exists a powerful young generation of active GenSec, Leo asked to be substituted. In USA Jew’s harp players, who know to an astonishing consultation with Leo and Fred Crane, Michael President degree the various national and ethnic styles and Franz KUMPL Wright from Great Britain was asked to take up this Austria are representing a kind of technically global yet job, and after some considerations he answered: General Secretary emotionally personal style of playing; this “I'm very honoured to have been asked to contribute (Leo TADAGAWA) applies to Silvain Vartan (France), Nguyen Duc to the Society on such an important part of its Japan Minh (Vietnam), Daniel Hentschel Michael WRIGHT promotion and organisation, and will do what I can Great Britain (Netherlands), Wolf Janscha (Austria), Kim to make the role successful.” Thank you, Michael! Treasurer Borisov and Yana Krivoshapkina (Yakutia), Philippe DALLAIS, Aron Szilagyi (Hungary), Luca Recupero (Italy), Next Congress Switzerland Li Wang (China), and others. Regarding the location for the 6th IJHF, we Journal Editor examined three options: Sicily, Hungary and Japan. Gordon FRAZIER • It seems that during each festival a certain ethnic (and Fred Crane) Jew’s harp has it’s “coming out” and fascinates The presentations of our colleagues revealed the USA the auditory with its unique possibilities. During following: Common members the 3rd festival, the star among the Jew’s harps • Luca Recupero from Sicily is very enthusiastic Ivan ALEXEYEV th Sakha-Yakutia/RF was the Yakutian “Khomus”, during the 4 the about organising an IJHF, but had to admit that Daniel HENTSCHE Norwegian “Munnharpe” was discovered, and in for a festival in about 3 years he could not Holland Amsterdam the Chinese “Kou Xiang” was the ensure the necessary funding. Gerd CONRADT people’s darling. • Aron Szilagyi from Hungary pointed out the Germany Kaliman UMETBAEVA • The concerts on the Summer Stage proved once active support of local administration in Kyrgyzstan more the importance of improvisation and Kecskemet and was able to provide a realistic Luca RECUPERO session playing. I tend to think that the Jew’s scenario for an IJHF in 2010, which is only 4 Italy harp is at its best when the song concepts are years from now. Albin PAULUS Austria rather open or when it spontaneously follows • Leo Tadagawa from Japan is sure that an IJHF Kim BORISOV emotions and ideas of the player, be it solo or in in principle was possible to be organised in Sakha-Yakutia/RF encounters with other instruments. Hokkaido, where our Mukkuri-playing Ainu Valentina SUZUKEI friends live. During the board meeting, Leo was Tuva/Russia • Recommendations for the next festival include: Aron SZILAGYI invite more Jew’s harp makers, provide with not very positive about implementing this long- Hungary cultural program for the participants, awaited Japanese IJHF within a reasonable time Leo TADAGAWA consecutive instead of parallel events, period. Japan announcements in the main languages. Therefore it was decided to have the 6th IJHF in Quang-Hai TRAN France Hungary. New board Svein WESTAD Norway I was convinced that we have to take a maximum of However, in October Leo was in Hokkaido where young people on board, if we want to have thriving the Ainu live and was convinced that there are very Thanks to members of the IJHS and guarantee festivals which find the difficult enthusiastic people wanting to organise an IJHF old Board who stepped down: synthesis between the best of the known oldies who within 2-3 years. After consultation with Fred Phons BAKX represent the traditions and of the young rebels with Crane, Michael Wright and Aron Szilagyi, it was Holland unexpected approaches. I want to thank our decided that Leo should be given until end of 2006 Anton BRUHIN grandsigneurs from the board for their to check the probability of a Japanese festival more Switzerland Anon EGELAND understanding and for making place for young thoroughly.